What Is an Arrest Warrant in Pennsylvania?
An arrest warrant is a court order authorizing law enforcement to take a person into custody. In Pennsylvania, a magistrate or judge must find probable cause—based on a sworn affidavit from police—that a crime has been committed and the person named in the warrant is responsible.
Once an arrest warrant is issued, it becomes active and law enforcement can arrest you at any time—at your home, your job, or even during a traffic stop.
How Is a Search Warrant Different?
A search warrant authorizes police to search a specific place—such as a home, vehicle, or digital device—for evidence of a crime. Like an arrest warrant, it requires probable cause and must be signed by a judge or magistrate. Search warrants in Pennsylvania are governed by the Fourth Amendment and Article I, Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, both of which protect citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Search warrants must clearly describe:
The place to be searched
The items or evidence to be seized
The crime under investigation
If the police searched your property without a valid warrant or probable cause, any evidence they seized may be inadmissible in court. The Law Office of John B. Pike regularly challenges unlawful searches in court and fights to suppress illegally obtained evidence.
Can an Arrest Warrant Be Lifted Before You’re Arrested?
Yes. In many cases, an arrest warrant can be lifted or resolved before you are taken into custody. This is often done through what’s known as a "lift warrant hearing" or a "capias hearing."
At the Law Office of John B. Pike, we can arrange for you to appear before a judge voluntarily, without being arrested by law enforcement. This process can often avoid the trauma and embarrassment of being picked up at home or work and booked into jail.
How Does a Lift Arrest Warrant Hearing Work?
When you contact our office about an outstanding warrant, we move quickly. Here’s how the process typically works:
Confirm the Warrant: We verify that a warrant exists, the court that issued it, and the underlying charges.
Schedule a Hearing: We contact the court to request a hearing date to lift the warrant. This is usually before the same judge who issued it or one with jurisdiction over the case.
Appear in Court: You appear in court—accompanied by an experienced defense attorney from our office—where we ask the judge to lift the warrant.
Negotiate Bail or Release: We may argue for unsecured bail, ROR (release on your own recognizance), or low bail so you can walk out of the courthouse without going to jail.
Resolve the Case: Once the warrant is lifted, we work to resolve your underlying charges, including pretrial motions, suppression issues, or trial, if necessary.
Why Choose the Law Office of John B. Pike?
With more than three decades of experience handling criminal defense cases in Pennsylvania, including warrant resolution, suppression motions, and jury trials, John B. Pike is a trusted name in protecting the rights of individuals accused of crimes.
We serve clients across Luzerne County, Carbon County, Susquehanna County, Columbia County, Bradford County, Wyoming County, Lackawanna County, Wayne County and throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Whether you're facing a felony, misdemeanor, or probation violation, we know how to deal with arrest warrants swiftly and effectively.
Act Fast Before You're Picked Up
If there's an outstanding arrest warrant against you in Pennsylvania, time is critical. Don’t wait until law enforcement shows up at your door or your workplace. Call the Law Office of John B. Pike today at [insert phone number] to schedule a free confidential consultation. We can help you lift the warrant, avoid jail, and protect your future.
